U.S. catches, passes world in mobile

Ten years ago, when I worked in consumer electronics, we coveted the advancements in mobile networks and the handsets they supported in Europe and Japan. Better mobile Web, better games, better communications, just better, better, better.

Back then, the multitude of not-yet-consolidated regional carriers in the U.S. scrambled to put up four towers on every peak, even if only one could support the entire mobile user base. We all carried handsets not much more comfortable or functional than Gordon Gekko's brick.

Today, in a report discussed at GigaOm, we learn that nearly 70 percent of U.S. cell phone subscribers are on a 3G network — best rate in the world. And all four of the nation’s top carriers are among the top 10 in the world making money from mobile data revenue.

Sheesh. I slip out of the conversation for a decade, and look what I miss. 😉